West Ham United are reportedly set to sign Sheffield United goalkeeper Wes Foderingham this summer.
The 33-year-old has been a solid figure in between the sticks for the Blades, making 112 competitive appearances for the club since joining from Rangers in July 2020.
Despite the signing of shot-stopper Ivo Grbic from Atletico Madrid during the January transfer window, Foderingham managed to keep his first-choice status at Bramall Lane for the 2023-24 campaign.
The former Swindon Town man appeared 30 times in the Premier League for a mixture of Paul Heckingbottom and Chris Wilder, although the keeper's best efforts were not enough to keep his side in the division.
Collecting just 16 points from 38 top-flight matches, Sheffield United finished rock bottom of the Premier League standings, suffering an immediate relegation back to the Championship.
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West Ham 'closing in on Foderingham's signature'
According to The Athletic, West Ham are close to announcing the first signing of their summer transfer window ahead of a new era in 2024-25.
The report claims that the Hammers are on the brink of securing the services of Sheffield United's Foderingham, just days after the last campaign came to an end.
With the keeper's current contract at Bramall Lane expiring at the end of June, it is fully expected that he will join the East London club on a free transfer.
The imminent departure of Foderingham means that Croatian Grbic could have a better chance of becoming the first choice in the Championship for United next term.
West Ham's interest has seemingly given 33-year-old Foderingham another opportunity at Premier League football, despite him keeping just one clean sheet in 30 league fixtures this season.
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West Ham's plans for Foderingham
Despite being a regular at Bramall Lane under difficult circumstances this campaign, it is believed that Foderingham will play a different role at the London Stadium.
With 23-year-old keeper Joseph Anang leaving the Hammers, the top-tier outfit want a new third-choice stopper to challenge the likes of Alphonse Areola and Lukasz Fabianski.
As well as to the playing staff, there has also been a major change in the managerial hotseat at West Ham, with Julen Lopetegui now leading the troops following the departure of David Moyes.
The Hammers are also targeting improvements to their backline, with Flamengo centre-back Fabricio Bruno close to agreeing a five-year deal at the London Stadium.
Carter White
